Suunto, good computers or expensive bottom timers?

[Twinsetmad]

I carry a Vytec in my console set in Gauge mode. If anything happened to my VR3..I could get out in best guess mode, on my plan with back up tables too.

[Janos]

You can simulate the Suunto in two ways. One is using the "Simulator" function in the Dive Manager software (but it is an arse as you have to add a point for each minute of the dive). The second is there is a simul function on the computer. You can control your depth with the up and down buttons and it switches gas automatically.

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

As it was I planned the dive on Decoplanner on 20/80GF and it ran similar times to the Vytec. I didnt do many long deco dives on the Vytec but i did a few and it worked OK but I added a few deeper stops.

But not stop depths surely? Even with the new DS mechanism I thought it brings you shallow too quickly.

For example. On a 30 minute dive to 40m, 27% Nitrox, no deco gas, my old (non DS) Vytec wants 1 min@9m (7m acutally but hey) and then 37mins at 6m.

20/80 GF would give you 1@18, 1@15, 1@12, 4@9, 25@6.

I'd be interested to see the DS equivalent, but I remember looking at it before and not being hugely impressed.

Janos

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by Janos

You can simulate the Suunto in two ways. One is using the "Simulator" function in the Dive Manager software (but it is an arse as you have to add a point for each minute of the dive). The second is there is a simul function on the computer. You can control your depth with the up and down buttons and it switches gas automatically.



But not stop depths surely? Even with the new DS mechanism I thought it brings you shallow too quickly.

For example. On a 30 minute dive to 40m, 27% Nitrox, no deco gas, my old (non DS) Vytec wants 1 min@9m (7m acutally but hey) and then 37mins at 6m.

20/80 GF would give you 1@18, 1@15, 1@12, 4@9, 25@6.

I'd be interested to see the DS equivalent, but I remember looking at it before and not being hugely impressed.

Janos

Id use the Decoplanner 20/80 for gas planning and bottom time indication. The run times would be similar but as you say the deco is completely different. Id add the deep stops my self but this extended the deco




Leaving the bottom my deco was 50mins @ first stop 9m

At the first gas switch 32% it was 54mins and dropped to 32


At the second gas switch 80% it was 25 and dropped to 19


Note on this dive I gas switched at 30m but forgot to change the vytec over till 20m as a result the figures are slightly out but it was the only example of 30min at 40ish I could find.

ATB

Mark Chase

[Mark]

I only bought a Vytec because when it was launched it was the only unit that had a resetable stopwatch function while in gauge mode. I can obviously also download the dive data from the unit which makes it better than a regular bottom timer.

I don't care about the gas switching functions or the deco model it uses as I would only use it in gauge mode on dives that require gas switches. I don't think Suunto would expect many divers to actually be using the multi gas switching functions. I see it more of a gimmick to get people that don't know any better to buy the unit for it's multitude of features.

I'd say yes it's an expensive bottom timer. I knew that when I bought my one when they first came out. I have been very happy with mine.

I want a Liquivision F1 now for it's lovely display (no stopwatch on it though). Another expensive bottom timer!

HNY

Mark.

[freshwaterdiver]

Originally Posted by Janos

I really don't like the deco algorithmn the Suunto's use. For anything more than 5 or 10 minutes of stops I'd do very different deco. And if you're doing less than 10 minutes of stops then what's the point of gas switching.

However if Suunto did a proper 'tech' computer then that would be brilliant. Their computers are so user friendly and easy to use. And their neat and compact.
Janos

Please to read all your opinions on the Suunto computers.
I sold my old Aladin Pro a few month ago - and have just lost my dive watch in a car park. Its not been handed in etc So:-

I'm looking to replace and if possible have both watch and computer in one nice unit - The Suunto Stinger is the main contender here but I'm not familiar with their deco algo's. Where can I study and compare them? I'm on Air.

[Janos]

Originally Posted by freshwaterdiver

I'm looking to replace and if possible have both watch and computer in one nice unit - The Suunto Stinger is the main contender here but I'm not familiar with their deco algo's. Where can I study and compare them? I'm on Air.

You can download the Suunto software here:

http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/ar...08474395903546

There is an option to simulate a dive but it's a pain the backside. You have to enter depths for each minute that you're underwater. However if you have a bit of time on your hands you will get there in the end.

However, don't get me wrong. For 99% of diving the Suunto's are great. It's what I use when teaching or diving with the club. Missus Janos has the Gekko and if she were to lose it I'd recommend she get's another. They are well built, easy to read, easy to use, the menu system is fine, and the no decompression limits sensible.

But for longish decompression I think they stop too shallow and for too long. But that's just my take on it.

Janos

PS - Personally I would get a Gekko and a surface watch rather than the Stinger. I like dive computers to be large and easy to use [1] rather than small and fiddly.

[1] - Although my Shearwater could be a bit smaller

[Twinsetmad]

Originally Posted by freshwaterdiver

Please to read all your opinions on the Suunto computers.
I sold my old Aladin Pro a few month ago - and have just lost my dive watch in a car park. Its not been handed in etc So:-

I'm looking to replace and if possible have both watch and computer in one nice unit - The Suunto Stinger is the main contender here but I'm not familiar with their deco algo's. Where can I study and compare them? I'm on Air.

Buy a cheap watch and a VR3. The stinger's display is to small to be usable...I know I have one. There's a VR3 in the ads section. There are also people about that will loan you one to try.

[freshwaterdiver]

Originally Posted by Janos

You can download the Suunto software here:

Suunto - Download Center

There is an option to simulate a dive but it's a pain the backside. You have to enter depths for each minute that you're underwater. However if you have a bit of time on your hands you will get there in the end.

However, don't get me wrong. For 99% of diving the Suunto's are great. It's what I use when teaching or diving with the club. Missus Janos has the Gekko and if she were to lose it I'd recommend she get's another. They are well built, easy to read, easy to use, the menu system is fine, and the no decompression limits sensible.

But for longish decompression I think they stop too shallow and for too long. But that's just my take on it.

Janos

PS - Personally I would get a Gekko and a surface watch rather than the Stinger. I like dive computers to be large and easy to use [1] rather than small and fiddly.

[1] - Although my Shearwater could be a bit smaller

Janos and Twinsetmad - you are like well greased torpedoes when it comes to fast reply's - BIG thanks.

I tried to download the .pdf file from Suunto but fails to load. I'll keep trying.
Your points are well taken about display size. And I do feel better about having a second timer device handy.

I was particularly keen to see what bottom time differences there were before hitting deco. Is it a case of several minutes difference between Buuhlman (oops Buhlmann) and Suuntos RGB for say a 30 mtr dive at sea level. (it's an age old discussion point - I know) and perhaps not so relevant with the (if understood correctly) introduction of user configurable safety adjustments allowed on the algo's?

Just come across some interesting sites for info on the different tables used:-
Published Tables
The Ten Foot Stop: Pearls from the Past - REDUCED GRADIENT BUBBLE MODEL
They may be of interest to those studying Algo's

[louigi]

Originally Posted by Twinsetmad

Buy a cheap watch and a VR3. The stinger's display is to small to be usable...I know I have one. There's a VR3 in the ads section. There are also people about that will loan you one to try.

scuse me on that one but i've been useing a stinger for years and as I got lousy eysight at short range recon its the easy enough to see especialy with the segments in my dive mask. Oh the display is quite clear and un clutterd as well. and after five years on my wrist every day it's still doing it's job as good as the day I bought it.

[freshwaterdiver]

grazie Luigi - will have to get into a dive shop and check a few out. Its been a long time since I went out hunting for a new dive computer.